UFC 99, Stockport Beer Festival
Speed recap:
Rich Franklin def. Wanderlei Silva (points) – what a tough fight to score. Much like the Henderson fight, this really should have been a five-rounder. I had Franklin taking the first, only just, I thought Silva did more early but Franklin’s pressure following that failed guillotine allowed him to take it late. The second, I really don’t know. Wandy had him rocked, but Rich might have done enough to edge things his way again, after looking better early again. The third I was probably scoring to Silva again until Franklin took him down. Another two rounds might have seen things more decisively towards Franklin, but I don’t know, if it was it’d be due to Silva gassing, as he didn’t look to cut brilliantly. Would watch again though.
Cain Velasquez def. Cheick Kongo (points) – yeah, clear 30-27. Of course Velasquez looked good, Kongo has no takedown defense and no ground game. It’s basically a perfect matchup. This fight raised a ton of questions, Kongo had no business taking that to a decision, and it only did because Velasquez had no power. On the other hand, if Kongo had more power and was able to keep the fight on the feet for more than 15 seconds per round, he’d have knocked him out. There’s no way that Cain could hang with someone like Lesnar who does everything that he does, only a lot better.
Mirko Cro Cop def. Mostapha Al-Turk (TKO 1) – eye pokes are fun. Don’t think it made a difference, once Filipovic connected it looked to be one-way traffic.
Mike Swick def. Ben Saunders (TKO 2) – boring contest, punctuated only by interesting trash talking in the first and a decent finish in the second. Don’t bother looking this one up if you missed it, Swick always looked to be a winner and the TKO thankfully terminated this abortion of a contest.
Spencer Fisher def. Caol Uno (points) – bad decision imo, Uno won it by an odd round, Fisher taking the first. Fairly close throughout so I’m not overly surprised at the decision, but if I was Uno I’d be disappointed. Not a hugely interesting fight again.
Dan Hardy def. Marcus Davis (points) – scored correctly, I had Hardy taking it 29-28, one of the better fights of the night, Hardy just did much more in the last two frames and busted Davis open.
Overall, not a brilliant fight, nothing technically fantastic, no really pleasing KO’s, the better fights were basically trainwrecks of slugfests. For once, a mediocre looking card turns out to be exactly that.
Turbo beer reporting!
162 – Howard Town Wren’s Nest (4.2%) – 7.5, slightly dry, hoppy light ale..
163 – Houston Blonde Bombshell (4.0%) – 7, slightly malty and citrusy light ale, with a mildly dry aftertaste.
164 – Bollington Bollington Best (4.2%) – 6, rather dull bitter, hints of both malt and hops but nothing overpowering, little dry
165 – Ulverston Harvest Moon (3.9%) – 6, slightly floral nose, initially a touch sour. Odd aftertaste. Improves down the pint.
166 – Newby Wyke Kingston Topaz (4.2%) – 4.5, odd grapefruity nose, rather sour and unpleasant and cloudy.
167 – Elland Beyond the Pale (4.2%) – 6, another blandish, hoppy dry-tasting pale beer.
168 – Bazen May Bee Mild (4.4%) – 8, not really a mild, has a golden light colour and rich, old ale-esque taste, with hints of honey.
169 – Durham Evensong Co (5.0%) – 7.5, full, malty dark ale, not ruby as advertised, very solid though.
170 – Pictish OT Special (4.2%) – 7.5, notably dry, light ale, almost tasting like a lager.
171 – Pennine Floral Dance (3.6%) – 7.5, light, slightly thin, but drinkable and a touch fruity.
172 – Fullers/Gales Seafarer (3.6%) – 8, slightly sweet, hints of malt early but hoppier later, well balanced.
173 – Facers Landslide (4.9%) – 7, rich, golden ale, a bit zesty.
174 – Spitting Feathers Thirst Quencher (3.9%) – 6, golden with a slightly spicy aftertaste.
175 – Dunham Massey Cheshire IPA (4.7%) – 6.5, noticable strong initial hoppy taste, otherwise decent bodied albeit bland.
176 – Leeds Gold (4.2%) – 6.5, solid balanced bitter, tasting darker than colour suggests.
